CHERRY GLAZERR Concert Review (SLO Brew)

On Cherry Glazzer’s song “Sweaty Faces” (off of their 2014 debut), Clementine Creevy implores, “I wanna see your sweaty face kids….I wanna see you jump on stage.” No lyrical admonition could be a more fitting summary of yesterday’s frenetic concert at SLO Brew in San Luis Obispo, CA.

The band played a solid set of songs, including many tracks off of their sophomore February 2017 release “Apocalypstick”, a finely produced album that showcases Clementine Creevy’s deepening lyricism and the solid musical chops of keyboardist Sasami Ashworth, drummer Tabor Allen and bassist Devin O’Brien. The second main incarnation of Cherry Glazerr is impressive and with what is essentially a new band comes a markedly different sound, one that feels even more fresh and eye opening than even their admittedly impressive debut release on Burger Records. Defying the cliched sophomore slump, their second album will most likely be the one that comes to define the “Cherry Glazerr sound” for years to come, a deliberate and intentional aesthetic statement that, while still full of their trademark youthful energy, contains moments of deeper resonance and increasingly sophisticated musicianship. Assisted by Grammy award winning producer Joe Chiccarelli, “Apocalypstick” is one of the year’s best, a worthy addition to your cherished record collection.

Frontwoman Clementine Creevy displayed her trademark personality and feminine swagger, while also demonstrating her solid guitar chops, her mouth at times agape in Hendrix-esque ecstasy. I literally witnessed dozens of fans reaching up to her, undulating their outstretched arms as though bowing down to their new rock star deity. It was an impressive sight to behold and one that convinces me that Clementine is somehow the reincarnation of a long since deceased member of rock royalty.

Song highlights from the night included “Nuclear Bomb,” “Teenage Queen,” along with a number of tracks off of their new album. Fan favorite “Grilled Cheese” also satiated the audience’s appetite, with Clementine engaged in restrained arm and torso undulations she jokingly referred to as the “Orange County mom dance.”

Mark my words: Clementine Creevy is going to be huge in the years to come. She appears poised to be this generation’s best approximation of musical feminist icons Chrissie Hynde, Kathleen Hannah, Kim Deal or Karen O. Keep your eyes peeled and your ears open, for she is destined for great things.

To stay glazed, check out their official website here. Also, be sure to check them out in the next couple of months as they perform with Slowdive and Foster the People.